How to Use SMS with a Custom Sender to Enhance Your Communication

What is an SMS with a custom sender?

To understand the advantages of adding a custom sender, we need to know exactly what it is, how it works, and how you can apply it.

Definition of SMS with custom sender

An SMS with a custom sender is a text message where the sender’s name is clearly identified instead of a generic phone number. This allows the recipient to immediately recognize who sent the message, which can increase trust and communication effectiveness.

Advantages of using a custom sender in SMS

• More trust: recipients prefer and feel more confident opening and reading messages from recognizable and authorized senders, which increases open rates and message effectiveness.
• Better brand image: An SMS with a custom sender reinforces brand identity and presents a more professional image.
• Reduced spam: messages with custom senders are less likely to be considered spam, improving message deliverability and reception.
• Ease of response: Recipients can respond more easily when they know who sent the message, which facilitates interaction.

Why is it important to send SMS with a custom sender?

Nowadays, we are used to receiving numerous communications from various companies daily. The importance of a custom sender arises from the overwhelming amount of unrecognized messages we receive on our mobile phones.

Identifying the sender ensures your messages are received securely and recognized, creating a better predisposition to read the message.

Sending SMS with a custom sender that identifies you as a business helps differentiate between a less valued message and a truly professional one. This practice reduces the chances of being deleted by potential customers who may otherwise question the legitimacy of the message.

Adding a sender allows users to recognize you as a professional and trustworthy source of information. This builds greater trust in your customers and increases your message open rates.

Benefits of using SMS with a custom sender

When a customer receives a message with your business name as the sender, you're directly reinforcing your brand identity. Recipients perceive your communications as more reliable, official, and professional.

Below are the main benefits of using SMS with a custom sender in your marketing and customer service strategies.

Improved brand image

When a customer sees your business name as the sender, you’re directly reinforcing your brand identity. This enhances your corporate image, as recipients view your communications as more trustworthy and professional.

Increased open and response rates

One of the most noticeable effects is the increase in open and response rates. When users recognize the sender of a personalized SMS, they are more likely to read the message.

Recognizing the sender removes suspicion or disinterest, increasing the likelihood of responses or actions like clicks, replies, or confirmations.

Personalization and professionalism in communications

As previously mentioned, using a custom sender adds a touch of personalization and professionalism to communications, showing attention to detail and seriousness in the customer relationship.

When your business name appears, messages are perceived as official and secure communications.

Is it possible to customize the SMS sender?

But is it possible to customize the SMS sender? Yes, and it’s easier than it seems. In many countries (especially in Europe and Latin America), you can replace the sender’s number with an alphanumeric text of up to 11 characters. This text can be your brand, product, or service name.

LabsMobile allows you to do this directly from their dashboard or via API, always in accordance with local regulations. Keep in mind that in some countries, this feature is regulated for security reasons, so it's advisable to check specific conditions based on your sending destination.

How to send SMS with a custom sender

Sending SMS with a custom sender for bulk messages is simple when you have the right tools. LabsMobile enables quick and secure configuration, both for one-off campaigns and automated messages. Here’s how to implement it correctly:

Selecting the right platform

The first step is selecting a suitable platform. LabsMobile, for instance, offers easy configuration of custom senders from both its web interface and via API integrations. It’s important to choose a platform that ensures deliverability, security, and expert support.

Configuring the sender in your chosen platform

Once inside the dashboard, you can register an alphanumeric name like “YourBrand” from the sender configuration section. After technical validation, the sender is approved for use in future sends.

Step-by-step process to customize your sender

Here’s a step-by-step guide to customizing the sender in your SMS messages:

• 1. Log into your LabsMobile account.
• 2. Go to the configuration or senders section.
• 3. Request a new alphanumeric sender (max. 11 characters).
• 4. Wait for validation from the technical team.
• 5. Once approved, select it when creating your send.

If you use API integrations, you can specify the sender directly in your code, fully automating the experience and ensuring all messages maintain a clear corporate identity.

Tips for optimizing the use of personalized SMS

Properly configuring a custom sender can significantly impact how your customers perceive your communications. Here are some tips to get the most out of personalized SMS functionality.

Best practices for sender personalization

Customizing the SMS sender is a key tool for increasing the effectiveness of your campaigns and improving brand perception. To ensure this strategy is truly effective, follow these best practices for clear, professional, and recognizable communication.

Here are the best practices for sender customization:

• Use a name the customer easily associates with your brand.
• Prioritize clarity: avoid confusing or unintuitive abbreviations.
• Pair the custom sender with a brief, direct, and relevant message.
• Maintain consistency: use the same sender in all campaigns to build recognition.

Common mistakes to avoid when configuring the sender

We also share the most common mistakes to avoid when setting up your sender to ensure the success of your messages.

• Choosing generic names like “INFO” or “SMS123”: They lack identity and value.
• Frequently changing the sender: This hinders brand recognition.
• Ignoring the destination country's regulations: It can affect deliverability.
• Exceeding the character limit or using unsupported symbols.

Strategies to maximize message impact

Besides the sender, message content plays a key role in maximizing impact. Here are some strategies to get the most out of every message:

• Grab attention from the first line with a clear, direct message.
• Use calls to action like “Confirm your appointment,” “Reply,” or “Click here.”
• Adapt the message to the user’s profile to make it more relevant.
• Send SMS at key moments: reminders, special offers, surveys...
• Combine SMS with other channels like email, WhatsApp, or push notifications to reinforce the message.

In summary, a well-configured custom sender not only improves deliverability but also builds trust, reinforces your brand, and boosts the effectiveness of your campaigns. At LabsMobile, we help you implement it easily and securely. Try it in your next campaign and see the difference in results!